Some 33 years after its creation as the arrowhead of the epic struggle for Nigeria’s democracy, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), is announcing a momentous event to honour heroes of that dark period of Nigerian history, come May 20 in Lagos.
Packaged by NADECO General Secretary and Spokesman, Ayo Opadokun, the event will feature insignias of appreciation and award presentation to well-deserving Nigerian heroes of democracy dead and alive.
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka wears the cap of Chairman, former Minister of Defence, Retired Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma gets the role of Chief Launcher and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja will hold court as Royal Father of the Day.
Venue will be the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre at Onikan, Lagos, from 11am on Wednesday, May 20.
According to Opadokun, the day will also feature the launching of “The NADECO Story,” his comprehensive 509-page memoirs documenting the coalition’s biopsy, philosophy, struggles, travails and triumphs.
Listed award recipients include six newspaper houses, journalists, Human Rights Activist, Civil Society Organisations, the academia, professional and business giants, retired Armed Forces officers and the 54 people who signed NADECO’s introductory communiqué in May 1994, including Nigeria’s current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We have packaged this historical event as a celebration of our resilience and our dignity as a people,” Opadokun said. “My generation, the present generation and coming generations must eternally uphold NADECO and these heroes as a reference point for resistance to tyranny.
“People who fail to venerate their heroes will wallow in servitude. We are doing this at this moment, but everyone knows it is long overdue. All those personalities and institutions that played a role to plant, water and grow Nigeria’s tree of democracy must not stay dead as unsung heroes or continue to live as unsung heroes. They deserve recognition and appreciation. Thankfully, 30 years of this surviving democracy is a testimony that their labours have not been in vain, this being the longest-lasting Republic that this country has ever known. We need to celebrate these heroes and heroines.”
Post-humus awards recipients include: Late Chief MKO Abiola and his wife Late Kudirat Abiola, as well as NADECO’s deceased leaders: Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Senator Abraham Adesanya and Chief Anthony Enahoro.
The star-studded list of pro-democracy awardees includes prominent names who stuck out their necks in the dangerous period of Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha and Chief Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government (ING).
See Full List of awardees by clicking on: https://thenewsgiant.com/nadeco-heroes-of-democracy-honours-award-full-list/
On whether the current socio-economic situation of Nigeria justified the sacrifices made by NADECO and other pro-democracy groups and individuals between 1993 and 1996, Opadokun submitted: “No one has said our country has reached the El-Dorado. But we threw everything into the struggle for June 12 and democracy because any civilian regime will always be better than the most benevolent military dictatorship. Nigeria is a work in progress. Today may appear cloudy, but tomorrow looks bright. And as sure as the sun shines in the morning, Nigeria will reach the Promised Land.”
